6-Way Intel Core i7 CPU Cooler Roundup

Temperature Test Results

With the system running at stock settings the i7-920 ran at 37.75*C when idle and a toasty 74*C under full load. Our previous low temp champ is still the winner. In its single fan configuration it beat out the Vigor Monsoon III LT by a very small margin of 0.5*C under full load. In the NH-U12P’s dual fan configuration it was clearly the winner with a 1.75*C gap between it and the closest competitor, the Monsoon III LT. The NH-U12P SE1366 cooled our i7-920 to a very nice 56.25*C under full load, and a whopping 17.75* under stock.

With the system overclocked to 3.5GHz and under full load the stock cooler starts to scream for mercy as the load temp climbed to 83.5*C. The Vigor Monsoon III LT dropped back 2 spots, and the NH-U12P is still in the lead, keeping our i7-920 to a toasty 67.5*C; a whole 16* cooler then stock.